UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

Aidan O'Brien has dominated this race in recent years, which means that House Of Aviz and Ortelius both merit the utmost respect. That said, OCEAN CONQUEST was only three lengths behind the recent Futurity winner Henry Longfellow on debut here last month and the son of Time Test could be hard to stop if improving for that experience. Starliner is another with strong form claims following his promising racecourse bow at Down Royal, while Tamrat completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Ocean Conquest 2nd Starliner 3rd House Of Aviz

Kalispera defied big odds to finish third in the Debutante Stakes here last Saturday and is likely to be thereabouts with a similar performance. Shelaka left the impression that there was much more to come when winning at Tipperary on her debut and she merits respect, along with the Aidan O'Brien-trained Opera Singer, though her stablemate BRILLIANT is preferred. The daughter of Gleneagles kept on well when third, despite being short of room, in a Listed contest 15 days ago and this half-sister to Alcohol Free can come into her own now sent over the mile.
Prediction : 1st Brilliant 2nd Kalispera 3rd Shelaka

Aidan O'Brien has a tremendous record in this race, winning five of the last 10 renewals, and MOUNTAIN BEAR looks the clear pick of his duo this time around. A C&D maiden winner, he left behind a moderate effort in the July Stakes at Newmarket when a good third in the Group 2 7f Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and shaped as though he will relish the return to this trip now eased in class. He is just preferred to Letsbefrankaboutit, who represents last year's winning trainer/jockey combination and the speedily-bred Sioux Nation colt should have more to offer after shaping with plenty of promise in third on his recent introduction over this track and trip. G'day Mate and Do It With Style are also in with a shout.
Prediction : 1st Mountain Bear 2nd Letsbefrankaboutit 3rd Gday Mate

Village Voice was deemed good enough for the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot and has since performed well for the silver medal at this level at Gowran Park. There is a lot to like about this filly but, on the basis that her two wins have come on soft and heavy ground, she might just struggle on this livelier surface and preference is for AMERICAN SONJA. She is a model of consistency, a course scorer and has produced a couple of taking performances overseas this year. Indian Wish, Mashia and Cigamia are others to take seriously.
Prediction : 1st American Sonja 2nd Village Voice 3rd Indian Wish

CLEVER AND COOL put her effort here two starts ago well and truly behind her when romping home in a Listed event at Cork just five days later. Jim Bolger's filly does have a 7lb penalty to contend with, but is still 5lb ahead of the handicapper and could take some stopping if running to a similar level. The progressive Coeur d'Or heads the list of dangers after his Galway success, ahead of the recent C&D winner Crystal Black and the in-form Casanova.
Prediction : 1st Clever And Cool 2nd Coeur dOr 3rd Crystal Black

A fairly open contest in which a chance can be taken on LIVINGSTON RANGE, who reverts to turf following a disappointing run on the all-weather earlier this month. He was only narrowly denied over C&D on his penultimate outing off a 3lb lower mark but, given Robert Whearty knocks 2lb off the gelding's back here, he looks capable of bouncing back. Last-time-out winner Secret Magician is feared most off 5lb higher, while the relatively unexposed Not Even Close is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Livingston Range 2nd Secret Magician 3rd Not Even Close

CARNEGIE HALL looked to be crying out for a seventh furlong when beaten a length here last week over shorter. Although he has been put up 4lb for that effort, the son of No Nay Never may prove too good for these. Asian Daze is an obvious danger as the only winner in the field after she took her maiden at Gowran Park easily last time, while What A Squeeze would be interesting if she can repeat her debut fourth.
Prediction : 1st Carnegie Hall 2nd Asian Daze 3rd What A Squeeze

A finale which is possibly lacking depth and it's hard to look too far beyond experienced dual-purpose performer THE VERY MAN, who looked on excellent terms with himself when readily scoring off an 8lb lower mark at Ascot's recent Shergar Cup meeting. Jungle Cove is good enough to make his presence felt off his current mark, while The Virginian could throw up some each-way value if putting his best foot forward, along with in-form hurdler Watch The Weather on his belated Flat debut.
Prediction : 1st The Very Man 2nd Jungle Cove 3rd Watch The Weather